Theory question 108
International Economic Organisations(a) What is economic integration?
(b) Outline any three short-comings of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
(c) Highlight any three achievements of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Show the model answer
(a) Economic integration is the coming together of countries to remove trade barriers and co-ordinate their economic policies for mutual benefit.
(b) Any three: different currencies; political instability and coups; poor transport and communication links; similar export products so little trade among members; loyalty to former colonial powers; non-implementation of protocols; smuggling and border harassment; unequal benefits.
(c) Any three: free movement of persons (visa-free travel, ECOWAS passport); trade liberalisation scheme; peacekeeping (ECOMOG) in member states; regional infrastructure projects (roads, West African Gas Pipeline); common external tariff; ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
Use ECOWAS examples for both parts.